Sallah: Ogun Customs intercepts 13 trucks of smuggled rice

Abiola Seun |

As the Sallah celebration draws nearer, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 7, 848 bags of smuggled rice, equivalent of 13 trucks in the month of July, 2019.

This was even as the service said it has unbundled its Ogun State Command, splitting it into two.

The state Area Comptroller, Michael Agbara, who stated this on Wednesday during a Press briefing, explained that it was indeed a landmark among numerous successes recorded by the Command.

He said, “this is evidently a patriotic duty by the Service to fully align with one of the cardinal Federal Government Policies targeted at boosting Agricultural Development with a view to attaining national food self-sufficiency.”

“7, 848 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, 23 units of vehicles (7 used vehicles and16 means of conveyance) and 32 kegs of vegetable oil.

“201pairs of used tyres, 3 sacks of used foot wears, 320 bags of sugar, 4 bales and 1 sack of secondhand clothing.”

Agbara who spoke at the state headquarters, Idiroko, yesterday said the unbundling was done with a view to enhancing administrative efficiency and boost revenue generation for the Service.

He said the development was arrived at during the Nigeria Customs Service Board at its 50th regular meeting held on 21st May, 2019.
Agbara explained that the state would now have two area commands — Ogun Area 1 and Ogun Area 2, with different responsibilities within the state.
He further explained that, while Ogun Area 1 will oversee the regulation and enforcement of all import, export and anti-smuggling related activities in the state with its headquarters at Idiroko, Area 2 will focus on the responsibilities of enforcing and regulating all Excise, Free Trade Zone and Parcel Post related activities.

His words, “It will interest you to know that the Management of Nigeria Customs Service has formally communicated a development directing the unbundling and creation of eight new Area Commands within the Service.

“Ogun Command is privileged to be among the beneficiaries with a view to enhancing administrative efficiency and boosting revenue generation for the Service”.
He added, “The two brand new Area Commands in Ogun state are Ogun I and Ogun II Area Commands. Ogun 1 will have an area of coverage relating to regulation and enforcement of all import, export and anti-smuggling related activities in Ogun state with Headquarters at Idiroko.

“While Ogun II Area Command will be saddled with the responsibilities of enforcing and regulating all Excise (industries under Excise control), Free Trade Zone and Parcel Post related activities in Ogun state with Headquarters at Abeokuta.
“This visionary development is based on the outcome of the Nigeria Customs Service Board at its 50th Regular meeting held on 21st May 2019”.